OLYMPIA -- Politicians in the state are far more familiar with the woman John McCain picked to be his vice presidential running mate than most, because she's from one of Washington's most important trading partners.

Amid a chorus of euphoric Republican praise of Sarah Palin, Gov. Chris Gregoire offered polite words for the woman she's worked with on several Northwest issues.

"I congratulate my fellow Western governor, Sarah Palin, and her family. Last night Barack Obama made history and today Sarah Palin did the same, by being named the first female, Republican vice presidential nominee," Gregoire said in a statement.

"She's been a committed public servant and a dedicated mother," Gregoire said. "As a mother myself, I sincerely commend her for that, knowing that it takes strong devotion and focus. Having worked with Governor Palin, I know that she truly believes in her work and has been a strong leader for Alaska and its people."

But as an early endorser of Democrat Barack Obama for president, Gregoire also picked up on the talking points that many other Democrats had already began hammering away with on Friday's announcement.

"When Barack Obama announced Joe Biden as his nominee for vice president, he said his decision was not only based on him being a good partner but also someone who was ready to lead. With Governor Palin only having two years of experience as Alaska's governor and serving as mayor of a small city prior to that, it's something the voters need to consider and weigh carefully as this election progresses," Gregoire said.

Last year, Gregoire traveled to Alaska to meet with Palin to try to improve what had been icy relations between the two states.

Alaska is Washington's fifth-largest export market when aerospace is excluded.

"As the head of Alaska's National Guard and as the mother of a soldier herself, Governor Palin understands what it takes to lead our nation and she understands the importance of supporting our troops. Taking as his running mate the governor from our great northern neighbor was an excellent decision by Sen. McCain," Esser said.

"In Alaska, Gov. Palin challenged a corrupt system and passed a landmark ethics reform bill. Unlike some governors who have let spending get out control, Governor Palin has actually used her veto pen and cut budgetary spending. And she has fought hard against wasteful spending, helping to thwart senseless government projects. Sarah Palin is a governor with a record of achieving results for Alaska.

"While the Obama-Biden ticket is big on talk, the McCain-Palin ticket is big on results. To truly change Washington, it's going to take a team who has a record of accomplishment in shaking up the status quo. Gov. Palin's experience in doing that for her own state is exactly what is needed in Washington, D.C., and it's the same kind of change we need in Olympia this year," Esser said.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi said he was impressed with McCain's choice.

"Sarah Palin is a perfect fit for John McCain," Rossi said. "She is a reform candidate and Washington, D.C., outsider who is capable of bringing about change. I met her in 2006 while doing a fundraiser up in Alaska for her gubernatorial campaign and was very impressed. She is bright, articulate and a good choice for McCain."

Eighth District Congressman Dave Reichert said he liked the idea of a woman being vice president.

"When elected to Congress, I appointed the first female sheriff to succeed me in the King County Sheriff's Office," Reichert said. "So today I'm very pleased and encouraged to see the first female GOP candidate for vice president. This sets exactly the right example for our young women, who we must continually empower and encourage to pursue positions of leadership both professionally and politically."